Located in the Mediterranean Sea roughly mid-point between Europe and Africa, Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The Maltese archipelago consisting of three islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino has a population of 366,000 living in an area of 313 square kilometers (121 square miles). Malta is the only English speaking country in all of the Mediterranean basin. Multi-lingual Malta has two official languages, Maltese (basically a Semitic tongue written in Roman script) and English. Italian is widely spoken with a good knowledge of French and German thrown in for good measure. Schooling is compulsory until age 16. The literacy rate has reached 96 percent. Roman Catholicism is established by law as the religion of Malta; however full liberty of conscience and freedom of worship are guaranteed, and a number of Christian and non-Christian faiths have places of worship on the island.For so diminutive an island Malta has no equal in history. Maltese life and culture has been influenced in varying degrees by Arabs, Italians and the British. The written history of Malta began well before the Christian era as evidenced by many ancient one-of-a-kind temples still standing in Malta. Key events in Maltese history:
o Early traces of pre-historic civilizations date back to Neanderthal man, circa 3,800 B.C.
o Around 1,500 B.C. newcomers from Southern Italy come to live on the islands.
o Circa 1,000 B.C. Phoenicians arrived followed by Carthaginians.
o In 218 B.C. during the second Punic war Malta became part of the Roman Empire.
o In 60 A.D. Saint Paul was shipwrecked on Malta en- route to his beheading in Rome. It was he who christianized the island.
o In 533 Malta became part of the Byzantine Empire and in 870 it came under Arab control. The Arab occupation left a strong imprint on Maltese life, customs and language, even as modern day Christian Malta prides itself of its European culture and heritage.
o In 1090 the Arabs were driven out by Count Roger of Normandy, at which time Malta became an appendage of Sicily and remained so for 440 years. During this period Malta was sold and resold to various feudal lords and barons. It was dominated successively by the rulers of Swabia, Aquitains, Aragon, Castile and Spain.
o In 1523, a key date in Maltese history, the islands were ceded by Charles V of Spain to the rich and powerful Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.
o In 1798 Malta was surrendered by the knights to Napoleon Bonaparte.
o In 1814 after the French were defeated, Malta became part of the British Empire.
o During WWII in 1940-43 Malta endured and survived a siege at the hands of German and Italian Axis forces.
o In 1964 Malta achieved full independence, becoming a member of the British Commonwealth, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. o In 1970, the island signed an Association Agreement with the European Union, and in 1990 it applied for full membership. In 1974, Malta declared itself a Republic.
Tourism keeps the Maltese economy afloat, by partially offsetting deficit spending in foreign trade. In 1994, US$ 676.48 million in gross foreign exchange earnings were earned from 1.18 million tourists, most of whom originated from Western Europe. Increasingly visitors from ex-communist countries and Asia are discovering the many delights Malta has to offer. Sadly Malta remains an untapped market for folks from North America, particularly the United States. The main culprit is a lack of sustained marketing effort by Maltese officials in the American media, which leaves out millions who are simply not aware of its existence, let alone its unique charm and extraordinary history.
Malta is an ideal place to vacation for young couples on honeymoon or plain citizens in quest of historic perspective. American tourists arriving in Malta do not require an entry visa, for stays of up to three months. AARP members and other seniors with health problems who might want to visit Malta, should know that medical facilities run along modern lines, are available through regional health centers and two general hospitals. Comprehensive health insurance policy for all travelers is, nevertheless recommended. A varied choice of holiday accommodations ranging from five-star hotels to guest houses, self- catering holiday flats and villas are available, depending on one's taste and preference for the good life. Air fares to and from Malta are higher than most routes, but the market is rapidly changing with increased international competition. Malta's public transportation system offers a cheap and efficient way of touring the island, for those who would rather not drive, in bumper to bumper, mind-boggling conditions. The main bus terminus is located at the capital city Valletta from where modern buses operate to all parts of Malta, although there are also direct point-to -point services. The cost of a bus route runs into mere cents. The average bus ride lasts between 20 to 30 minutes. Malta's currency is decimal. The Lira (LM) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents, each cent again divided into 10 mils. The rate of exchange which varies slightly daily is currently set at LM1:US$2.7364.
Malta's summer season lasts from July through mid September. It is the hottest time of year and also best suited for aquatic fun and games. People who prefer less crowded conditions should consider Spring and Autumn for a more leisure vacation. The best part about being in Malta however is getting to know its legendary warm friendly people. Latin by temperament and disposition they are easy to approach and befriend.
E-mail to Joseph Vella:joevella@prodigy.net
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